Automatic selector mechanism



Jan, 3, W50 F. G. ESKUCiHEN 2493,62

AUTOMATIC SELECTOR MECHANISM Filed Oct. 28, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ia I J yg/www/ HTTOPA Ey Jan, 3, 1950 v F. G. ESKUCHEN 2,493,522 Q AUTOMATIC SELECTOR MECHANISM Filed Oct. 28, 1944 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 mum Jan, 3, i950 F. G. ESKUCHEN ZAQSfiZ AUTOMATIC SELECTOR MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed 00%.. 28, 1944 [NYE/V701? 59am? 3. EJ'A OCHEN Jan, 3, 1950 F. G. LESKUCHEN 2,493,622

AUTOMAT IC SELECTOR MECHANISM Filed Oct. 28, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 //v l/E/V Toe Fm /wa 6 LCJA/UCHEA/ Jan. 3, 1950 F. G. ESKUCHEN 2,493,622

AUTOMATIC SELECTOR MECHANISM Filed Oct. 28, 1944 s sheets-sheet 5 "Hill! Illllllllllll HTTOPNEY Patented Jan. 3, 1950 Frank G. Eskuchen, Atlantic City,- N. J assignor toBa-dio; Corporation of America, a corporationof Delaware AppliationfltobenZB, 1944; Serial No. 560,818

5.-Claims. (Cl. 74--10.2-)

My. invention. relatesi general to: an.- auto matic iselector' mechanism; and fmoreparticularlyton'suchcmechanism whicli is sadapted toieifect the adjustment of .variable elements of. radio apparatus totpredetermined;orprearranged "positions.

It is? desirable in "certain radio installations, as in I-WOP'WELY. communication system-safor: aircraft; to effect adjustment oi .boththe'ereceiver and the transmitter; expeditiously and accurately, .from one: predetermined channel frequency to an other; sometimesnir n accordance With: a? definite time-ischedule; Eachi'adjustment of such equip.- ment ordinarily; involvessthe -:angular positioning of 1apluralityof rotary tuning-condensers -'or:other variable tuning elements; and if the .1 equipment is operative 'aiplurality rorfband's, then. alsothe actuation of i a' band selector? switch; andfinrsome instances;-a-crysta1 selector switch;

Various-automatic: mechanisms have ibeenzde vised; and some have been lusedglwitir isome'ssuce cess, for effecting the automatic adjustment. of one or more variable elements, each toazpiural ity of predetermined positions- Devices Well known in the art r'equire an -individual:contrci unit in association with each of th'e' variable ele= ments to bead-justedr Assuming, for examplei that the equipment to -be control-led is provided with a plurality of independentlyadjustable ele ments; such as a pairoftuning' condensers, a band selector switch and a; crystal selectorg there is required in 1 accordance with pri'or practiceto provide each a'djustableielement w-ith a separate control unit;altliough the'several units which are similar may be actuated by a single: motor:

The present invention is an 1 improvement i on the automatic selector: mechanism disclosed in an application of S. W. McKellip, Serial No. 580,817, filed" concurrently herewith and? assigned to the same assignee as tliis apnlication'; wherein there is utilized 'a'-single control tinit to effect the-automatic adjustment;-ofa of adjustable-cle ments to thereby simplify the construction; reduce the cost of production and to'reduce also the weigh't and siZ'eofthe apparatus; factors which are important consideratidns inaircraft install'ation's.

O ne of theobj'cts of my invention is toprovide a selecter meclianism -of the -type'mentioned iir which each'=contro1 umt i so constructedand tiongnserves: to applver forcei-tootlreelocking lever to move it intosposition fo'r lockingithe-lother disc assemblygin its :adju'sted znositiomsaidi forcebeing applied. to the lever atan intermediate: point thereof? and: in: a; direction substantially? normal thereto and 1 while' -the first vdisc rassemblyl iswrow tated: in the samerdirectiom th'at the lever is rocked about 'itsrpivotal pointl Another object of myginvention isto provide, in a selector: mechan-isrm-oii the type mentioned m frictionclutchof:- no-veli construction which can readily be adjusted tow-provide the-:desired driving relation between 1 the: driving-1? motorx and each driven selector assembly, before slippageoccursi Other objects --:and.=advarrtages:otthewinvention will become-apparent from athevfollowina-description when :readein conjunction "withthe :accome pan-yingl drawingsrin which Fig-i 1 .isia plan view, on aneenlargedscal of the selector v mechanism in. accordance with= tfie invention; c

Fig. 2""15 a partial side view of Fi'g.1 'llooling fromthe left; with the lower part of the figure taken along the line 2-2Jo'f "Fig; 51 and certain parts such as themanual conti'ofkn'ob's. b'eifig" omitted? Fig: 3*ista viewsnmlar to Fig: 1: omittingcen tam of trie'elements'andsnowimg irrcross-section th'e' sel ector disc ass amply which'= effects thea'c'-- curate adjustmenti Fig: i-isan exploded ViW;-" in perspective; of the clutch" device;

Fig; 5"- is a cross seetionai i view" taken on-= the li net dof Fig: 1';

Fig. J 6- is" a* cross=sectiona 1 view taken on" the line'li fi ofFi'g. 1 showing the partsiir their relative positions approaching: the er'id of operation in tneiorward direction; and

File; '7 isa diagrammatic-snowing cr tneimecria-ni'sm :rcr -expIaining'1t-he =operation -thereoff- Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a single unit of the selector mechanism which consists of front and rear rectangular supporting plates I and 2, respectively, held in parallel spaced relation by four cross-rods 3 to 5, one in each corner. A cam shaft I extends between the plates at the left, Figs. 1 and 5, and is suitably journalled in bronze bearings l'J" therein. Shaft I carries at one end a cam disc assembl 8 which is fixed to the shaft and consists of a plurality of discs 9 (ten in the present instance) separated by spacers 19 (Fig. 2). Each cam disc has formed in its periphery a single notch I I (Fig. the several discs being so arranged in angular relation that the notches of the successive discs are equi-angularly spaced and arranged in a spiral formation. Since cam discs are utilized in the present embodiment the notches are spaced at 35 intervals. Freely mounted on the other end of the cam shaft 1 is a bushing I2 provided at one end with a gear' I3 and at the other end with a disc member I4 which pivotally supports a pawl I5 disposed in cooperative relation with a member I6 fixedly mounted on the cam shaft and movable with the cam assembly. By means of a coil spring I! (Figs. 1 and 6) the pawl is urged to ride on the periphery of member which has formed thereon a single tooth I8. The parts I5 and I 6 operate as a pawl and ratchet to actuate the cam assembly in one direction of rotation of the gear I3 (clockwise) but not in the opposite direction. Also journalled within supporting plates I, 2 and arranged in parallel relation with cam shaft I are a pair of shafts I9 and 29 on which there are mounted selector disc assemblies 2|, 22, respectively, to be more fully described in connectionflwith Fig. 3, it being sufficient for the present to state that each selector assembly, like the cam assembly, consists of 10 discs, with the discs of each assembly axially spaced along their respective shafts so that corresponding discs, one in each of the three assemblies, are aligned with one another. The forward end of each of the shafts i9 and 29 is provided with a manual control knob 2-3, and the rearwardly extending shaft ends are mechanically coupled each to a rotatable device to be adjusted. For example, shaft [9 may be coupled to a variable tuning condenser represented at 24 while shaft may be coupled to a band switch represented at 25. A gear 26 is adapted to drive the disc assembly 22 through a slip clutch 21 and a gear 28 is adapted to drive the disc assembly 2I through a pin 29 and a disc 29 (Figs. 3 and 6) and a similar slip clutch 30.

Pivotally mounted on the cross-rod 3 which is located at the upper left-hand corner, and confined between a pair of collars 3I are ten stoplevers 32 separated by spacers 33. The several stop-levers aredisposed above the disc assemblies, extending in a direction transverse to their shafts, and each lever is aligned with a set of corresponding, aligneddiscs, one in each assembly. For the purpose of having the several stoplevers spring-pressed towards the discs of the assemblies, there are provided individual springs 34 which have their free ends 35 seated in grooves 35'. (Fig. 5) in the upper edges of the levers and their other ends 36 anchored in slots 31 formed in an elongated sleeve 38 which is keyed to a rod 39 supported between the front and rear plates. A second rod 49 also supported between said '4 plates and spaced from rod 39 is arranged to contact the springs and to serve as a fulcrum therefor.

Located below the cam shaft I and journalled in bronze bearings 4 I and 4 I carried by the supporting plates I and 2 is a motor driven shaft 4| (Fig. 2) having affixed thereto a gear 42 which serves to drive the various elements of the selector unit. The shaft M is driven from an electric motor M through suitable reduction gearing, such as a worm 43 on the motor shaft 44 and a worm gear 45 on the shaft 4|. Other selector units similar to that herein described may be driven from the motor shaft 44 through similar worm and gear sets.

Selector disc assembly H and the parts associated therewith are shown in cross-section in Fig. 3 to which reference will now be made. The shaft I9 is journalled in a ball-bearing I9 in the front plate and in a second ball-bearing I9 in the rear plate. The forward end of the shaft, just behind the front plate, is provided with an enlarged portion 46 forming a shoulder 41 with the main portion of the shaft, and between said shoulder and a nut 48 which is screwthreaded on an intermediate portion of the shaft there are disposed alternate spacers 49 and ring bushings 59. The nut 48 when tightened serves to clamp the several ring bushings and the spacers against the shoulder 4'! so that they rotate with the shaft as a unit. Encircling each of the bushings and disposed between adjacent spacers is a selector disc 5i provided at one point in its periphery with a notch 52, there being a total of ten such selector discs as mentioned above. For the purpose of clamping the several discs together for rotation with shaft I9 there is provided a pressure plate 53 slidably mounted on the shaft portion 46, so that by applying pressure to plate 53 in a rearward direction by means later to be described, the several discs are clamped together at the rims between a rearwardly extending rim portion 54 of the pressure plate and a second plate 55 formed integral with the ring bushing 50 next adjacent to the nut 48.

In order that pressure may be removed from the selector discs to permit of individual angular adjustment thereof, and also for applying pressure to the discs to condition the assembly for normal operation, the shaft portion 46 is provided with a transverse radial slot 5'5 which passes therethrough from one side to the other, and the pressure plate 53 is provided with a pair of radially aligned bores 51' (Fig. 5). A rod 58 extends through the slot in 46 and its opposite ends are received in the bores of the pressure plate, a forced fit being provided between the rod and the bores. The pressure plate is thereby keyed to rotate with the shaft but by reason of theaxial direction of the slot the pressure plate is capable also of axial movement on shaft portion 46.

The forward end of shaft I9 extends through the front plate and has a threaded portion for receiving a nut 59 which holds in position a retainer 69 for the ball-bearing I9. The control knob 23 is fastened to the shaft by set screws 23, and this end of the shaft I9 is provided with a central bore 6| which extends into the slot 56 of shaft portion 45.

Within the bore BI there is fitted a rod 62 for sliding movement. A member 63, which abuts against the end of shaft I9, provides a further bearing for the rod 62 and is clamped in posi 5 tion by a ring-nut 64 threaded within the front end of the knob. The member 63 is provided with a pair of ears 65 (only one being shown) between which there is supported a cross-pin 66 on which there is pivoted a lever 61. The pin is off-center with respect to the hub 68 of the lever to provide a cam surface at 68' for effecting the necessary sliding movement for the rod 62. In the position shown in Fig. 3 for the lever 6! associated with disc assembly 2|, which is the operative position, the rod 62 has been pushed rearwardly to exert pressure on plate 53 through the rod 58, and in the position shown for the lever 57 associated with disc assembly 22, which is the adjusting position for the selector discs, the pressure heretofore exerted is removed by allowing the rod to move forwardly.

As heretofore mentioned selector disc assembly 2| and its shaft I9 are adapted to be rotated by the motor-driven gear 28 through pin 29 and disc 29, and also through the friction slip clutch 30. The pin 29 is carried on the side of the gear facing disc 29, the latter being provided with a hub 59 on which the gear is adapted to rotate, being retained thereon by means of a nut Ill. Formed on a portion of the periphery of disc 29' is a radial extension 1| (Fig. 6) which extends into the path of pin 29 so that upon rotation of the gear 28 in either direction, after the lapse of a brief interval as determined by the relative positions of rest of the pin and disc extension, the pin will coact with one end H or the other I I of the disc extension to rotate the disc in the corresponding direction.

Integral with disc 29' is a forwardly extending bushing 12 arranged to rotate on shaft l9 and with which friction clutch 3B is associated. The bushing extends into a cup I3 of which plate 55 constitutes the base. As shown more clearly in Fig. 4 the cup is provided with an externally threaded portion I4, and formed in the rim of the cup at diametrically opposite sides is a pair of slots I5. The part of the bushing that extends into the cup is cut away at diametrically opposite sides It to provide a portion 11 that is non-circular in cross-section. Within the cup, in contact with base plate 55, is a circular disc I8 which is provided with a central aperture I9 of a shape similar to non-circular portion 11 of the bushing and is therefore keyed to move therewith. In contact with plate I8 is a disc 80 provided with a central aperture 8| that is circular and is therefore adapted to rotate on the bushing. Disc 80, however, is provided at diametrically opposite sides with projections 82 which are adapted to fit into the slots I so that disc 85 and cup I3 move together. In contact with disc 80 is a second circular disc 53 and in contact with the latter is a second disc 80.

A cup 83 is provided with a central aperture 84 through which bushing I2 is adapted to extend and is internally threaded at 85 to engage the screw thread I4 of cup 13. A dished circular spring 85 is interposed between'cup 83 and the second disc 85. By rotating cup 83 with respect to cup 733 in one direction or the other, the pressure applied through spring 86 to the stack of discs Id and 85, and therefore the friction therebetween, may be varied to a greater or less extent.

1 Also threaded on cup 13 is an internally threaded ring 8? which serves to lock cup 83 in its frictionadjusted position.

a q an ty o 1 and $1159 8." la ger steel- DISCS-2775 18 are adapted to rotate within cup I3 and are keyed to move with bushing I2, while discs are adaptedto rotate on the bushing and are keyed to move with cup I3. As a consequence when bushing I2 is driven in either direction from gear 28 through pin 29 and extension H, the disc assembly which is clamped to base plate 55 of cup I3 will be rotated through the discs of clutch 30 unless rotation of the assembly is restrained, at which time the Oilite discs '18 will slip with respect to the steel discs 80 if gear 28 is continued to be driven.

Except for the fact that discs 5| which constitute selector assembly 22 are provided with differently shaped peripheral notches 52', and for the fact that spacers 49' between discs 5| extend somewhat beyond their peripheries to provide guides for the stop levers 32, the disc assembly 22 is similar to disc assembly 2|. Also, the slip clutch 21 associated with assembly 22 is of similar construction to clutch 55 described above, and the manual control knobs 23 for both selector disc assemblies are similar.

In the view of Fig. 5, which is a cross-section taken along line 55 of Fig. 1, there is shown the relative disposition of the selector disc assemblies 2| and 22, the cam drum assembly 8 and the stop levers 32. The three assemblies are arranged side by side and the stop levers are of sufficient length to extend over all three. Each stop lever is providedwith a cam follower $8, a locking portion 89 at its free end, and a second locking portion 90 disposed at an intermediate point between parts 88 and 89. Cam follower 88 is adapted to ride on the periphery of its corresponding cam disc 9, being urged to that position by spring 34. Upon rotation of the cam assembly to a position such that the notch I! of one of the cam discs arrives underneath follower 88, the lever 32 corresponding to said one cam disc will move about its pivot 3 in a clockwise direction. This movement of the stop lever will cause the locking part 911 to ride on the corresponding disc of assembly 22 until it drops into the disc notch 52, whereupon the lever I will rock still further so that locking part 89 rides on the corresponding disc of assembly 2| until it drops into the disc notch 52. A complete cycle of operation for effecting adjustment of each selector disc assembly will be described laterwith reference to Fig. 7.

Although it has been mentioned that shaft I'Il associated with disc assembly 2| is mechanically coupled to a variable tuning condenser which requires a fine or accurate adjustment and that shaft 2|} associated with disc assembly 22 is mechanically coupled to a rotary band switch which requires only a coarse adjustment, they are of course not limited to the specific elements mentioned. For example, shaft I9 may be utilized to control any element that requires a fine adjustment, such as a variable inductor, and shaft 20 may be utilized to control any element that requires only a rough adjustment, such as any multi-position contact switch.

In the disclosed embodiment of the present invention the variable tuning condenser 24 under control of selector 2! is of the type that is adjustable through In order that this selector may be limited in its movement to this range, pressure plate 53 is provided on its periphery with a pair of suitably spaced radial pins 9| and 92 which are adapted to coact with a stop pin 93 (Figs.,5 and 7) which extends rearwardly from front plate I and in the path of .pi s. .9 an 9. Int e u er lockwisedirection a "of rotationof assembly 2|, from;the position shown in Fig. 5, the variable condenser reaches its-one limit of travel. when pin 9i abuts: stop,

pin 93 at the top, and in the clockwise direction of rotation the condenser reaches its other limit of travel when pin 92 abuts stop pin 93 at pin 94 which isadapted to coact with a pair of stop pins 95 and 96 which'extend rearwardly from front plate I and into the path of pin 94. Pins 95 and 96 are spaced 280 apart in the sense of rotation of selector disc assembly '22 so that in the counter-clockwise direction of rotation of assembly 22 the band switch reaches its one limit of travel when pin 94 strikes stop pin 99, and in the clockwise direction of rotation the switch reaches its other limit of travel when pin 94 strikes stop pin 95.

In the view of Fig. 6, which is a cross-section taken. along line 89 of Fig. 1, there is shown the gear drive for the several disc assemblies.

Gear 42 ,on motor-driven shaft 4| is in mesh with gear 26 which is keyed to bushing 72 freely mounted on shaft 29. Gear 26 is in mesh with gear |3 which drives the cam assembly in only one direction through pawl andratchet I6. Gear 26 also drives gear 28 associated with assemblyZl' through an idler I92 which is rotatably supported on the rear supporting plate 2. The drive-between gear 29 andassembly 2| has already been described. a V

In order to effect operation of the several disc assemblies in the proper sequence, there is employed in conjunction with the mechanism herein described, a suitable electrical control system. The operation will hereinafter be described in connection with the electrical control system disclosed and claimed in an application of O. L. Macsorley, Ser. No. 560,816, filed concurrently herewith, now Patent No. 2,431,408, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application. The sequential operation of the several parts constituting a cycle, duringwhich the two rotatable elements are to be adjusted, will be described briefly in connection withFig. 7;which, except a for reference numerals, is the same as Fig. 1 of l the above-mentioned MacSorley application.

' At 9, 5| and 5| are shown, respectively, acam disc, a selector disc for rough adjustment and a selector disc for fine adjustment. As explained above, these discs are aligned with each other and constitute a set of three corresponding discs,

and they are aligned also with a stop lever 32 1 with which the latter is adapted to cooperate.

Prior to the beginning of each cycle of operations of my invention, the disc assemblies 22 and 2| are locked by engagement of parts 90 and 89 on the particular lever'32, selected in the last previous cycle of operations, with notches 52' and' 52 of the corresponding selector'disc's 5| and 5|.

In Fig. 7 the disc assemblies 22 and'ZI-may be considered as locked, in the positions shown,=by

'a lever 32 other than that shown and whose fol- -lower lit-rests ina notch of'th'e corresponding cam disc 9. As shown in Figa' relatively small forward-rotation of disc assembly 22'in the direction of the arrow F will bring the pin 94 against the stop pin 95, and also a relatively small -forwardrotation of disc assembly 2| will flaring the pinlxfil la'gainst the-iston-pin 93.; This m'eans: that in "the .rlastzportiou of the previous 7 f tated in the reverse direction far enough to enable disc assembly 22' to be locked in any selected position between limits; determined by engagement of pin 94 with stop-pins QB and 95-respectively ;:and to enable disc-assembly 2| to: be locked in anyselected position limited by engagement of pin 9| with stoppin -99 and at=the opposite end of its travel by engagement of pin 92 withthe other side of stop pin 93. At the end of each cycle of operation the pawl I5 will usually occupy some position spaced from the tooth |8 of ratchet wheel 56, and'pin 29 on gear 28'wil1 engage the-end N0 of extension 7 formed on disc 29' which is integral with bushing 12 of friction clutch 30.

At the beginning of each cycle ofoperation, energization of motor l5 rotates gears 42, 26 and 29 in their'forward directions, indicated by the arrows F. However, the cam disc assembly 8 will not be rotated until the pawl l5 has been engaged with the tooth I8 of ratchet wheel I6, and gear 23 will carry its pin 29 away from extension l'i,' and, in an 'event, selector disc assembly 2| cannot rotate because it is locked bypart 89 of lever 32. Selector disc assembly 22 can at this time move only to the'extent of the lost-motion of part 99 in the notch 52',-that is, from its radial position Where edge 98 of notch 52 abuts edge 97 of lever part 99 to its radial position where edge 99 abuts edge I99. However, when pawl l5 has engaged'its ratchet tooth I8 to operate the cam disc assembly, the inclined edge |0| of notch acting on follower 88-forces the lever 32 out of engagement with discs 5| and 5|, prior to which there may be slippage in the drive to one or both offshafts 20 and i9. After the lever 32 has been disengaged from the corresponding discs 55?- and 5|, forward rotationof gears 42,25 and 28. is continued over an interval assuring that selector disc assemblies 22 and 2| will be brought to their homing positions determined respectively by engagement of pin 94 with stop pin 96 and engagement of pin 9| with stop pin 93. During this interval, if engagement of a follower 88 in the notch ll of its corresponding disc 9 by chance enables part 99 to engage partially with notch 52 in a disc 5|, continuedrotation 0f the cam disc assembly at once forces part 99 out of such engagement. After disc selector assemblies 22 and 2| have reached their homing positions, disc assembly 2| having been driven by engage- 'men of pin 29 with the end III of extension II, the drives to the selector disc assemblies slip while the cam assembly 8 is turned an additional frac- -tion of a revolution to bring it into such a position that cam follower 88 on the selected lever 32 is in registry with notch II in the corresponding cam disc 9. Rotation of the cam assembly 9 then ceases. At the instant that the cam as- "sembly reaches this position, the driving motor M is caused to reverse its direction of operation.

' The shaft of the 'camassembly does not turn lector disc assembly 22 through a cycle permitting any selected disc 5| to be engaged with part 90 of the corresponding lever 32. During this movement of gear 26, and consequently of gear 28, the pin 29 on gear 28 moves away from end I and toward the end H of extension H and after reverse rotation of cam disc assembly 22 has been wholly or substantially completed, gear 28 by engagement of pin 29 with the end H0 of extension 1| rotates selector disc assembly 2| in a reverse direction until it also is looked in by the selected lever 32.

The locking parts 98 and 89 engage their respective disc notches 52' and 52 in the following manner: Due to the positioning of notch ll of cam disc 9 underneath cam follower 88, as described above, lever 32 will in the first instance rock about its pivotal point 3 to permit locking part 90 of the lever to drop into notch 52' of disc 5| a sufficient extent upon disc assembly 22 assuming the requisite angular position. This allows locking part 89 to ride on the periphery of disc 5|. Continued rotation of disc 5| brings about a downward pull on the lever due to the application of a force on the upper edge 91 of locking part 90 by the disc part 98 which engages it and which provides a non-radial undercut actuating edge. Locking part 89 is therefore caused to ride on the periphery of disc 5| under pressure, and until the notch 52 comes into registry with part 89 friction clutch 21 associated with disc 5| will slip. Upon rotation of disc 5| to the point where part 89 drops into notch 52, a slight further rotation of disc 5| is permitted which results in the application of additional pressure between disc part 98 and lever part 91 to force home the locking part 89 in notch 52. Simultaneously disc 5| is forced home due to the coaction between parts 98 and 91 which in engaged position extend approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of lever 32, as shown in Fig. 7.

It will be clear from the above that by reason.

of the construction and design of the stop lever, its locking part Bil and notch 52' of disc 5|, the rotation of said disc in a clockwise direction to its adjusted position causes the simultaneous application of a force in a downward direction which is substantially normal to the stop lever also being moved in a clockwise direction so that looking part 89 when brought into registry with the notch of disc 5| is forced into it in a positive and efficient manner.

Since the selector disc assemblies will be stopped at different times the motor is permitted through the slip clutches 21 and 3G to continue operation until after the final disc assembly is stopped.

These operations are performed under the control of homing switch SI, limit switch S2, and further switch S3, Fig. 7, as more fully described in the above-mentioned MacSoriey patent.

As heretofore mentioned the same motor may be utilized to control other selector units. In such cases clutches 21 and 30 of the unit above described will slip until all selector units are driven home, whereupon the motor will be caused to cease operation.

The locked position of lever part 89 in notch 52 is shown dotted in Fig. '7. These parts are so shaped that in the locked position contact therebetween is established at only the two points indicated by the arrows 89'. This enables aocurate radial adjustment of the selector assembly 2! regardless of wear of either or both lever part 89 and notch 52, and regradless also of the wear of the lever 32 on its shaft 3.

The procedure for initially setting up each pair of corresponding discs of the twoselector assemblies'2l, 22 is as follows: The multi-position control switch SI is first set to bring notch I20 to any desired position, such as, for example, position 1. This initiates operation of the mechanism, and upon completion of the cycle as above described cam disc 9 corresponding to said position 1 will have been rotated so that its notch receives cam follower 88 of the corresponding stop lever,

and the corresponding selector discs will have been rotated to their locked positions.

With the discs so locked, lever 61 associated with the manual control knob of each assembly is pulled out to thereby unclamp the disc stacks. Control knobs 23 are then manually rotated until the variable condenser and the band switch are set to their respective desired settings. The discs are then clamped together again by pushing in levers 61 to their first position. Thereafter for position 1 of the remote control switch both selector disc assemblies will be actuated to the positions just set. The same procedure is followed for the other positions of the remote control switch.

By reason of the fact that the discs of each assembly are mounted on the ring bushings 50 with sufficient friction and are unclamped at their peripheral rim portions which are separated by spacers or washers that are locked against rotation, the manual rotation in the setting up operation of all of the discs of the stack except the one that is held in locked position will not cause accidental displacement of any of the other discs that may have been adjusted previously.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that various modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. I therefore contemplate by the appended claims to include any such modifications as fall within the true spirit andscope of my invention.

What I claim is: r

1. A motor operated selector mechanism adapted to effect the automatic adjustment of a device to a selected one of a plurality of predetermined positions, comprising a cam assembly selectively actuatable to settings which correspond each to one of said predetermined positions, a selector disc assembly mechanically coupled to the device, a plurality of stop levers, 1

a selected one of which, depending upon the setting of the cam assembly, is adapted to stop the disc assembly at the selected predetermined position, said stop levers each being pivoted at one end and provided with a disc stopping part at the other end and further pro- 7 vided with a depending portion intermediate said ends, spring-means coacting with said step levers tending to move said levers individually in a particular direction about its pivoted end, means rotatable in the same direction as the stop levers for receiving the depending portion of any selectively actuated stop lever, said receiving means having a part which interlocks with the leverdepending portion to rock the lever about its pivoted end and to force the opposite .end'to its stopping position, and drive means for actuating said receiving means, the cam assembly and the disc assembly in a predetermined sequencev of operations.

adapted to effect the automatic adjustment of a device to one of a plurality of predetermined posie tion's andof'the type provided with a cam-assemblyse'lectivew actuatable to settings-which correspond each to o'nefof said predetermined positionsa selector disc assembly mechanically coupled to the device'to be adjusted consisting ofaf plurality of discs each-provided with a peripherai-noten-the angular position of which de termines theadjusted position of the device, a lurality of stop levers each provided-with a stop ortion,- a selected stop lever depending upon the settingof the cam assembly adapted to have its stop portion engage the notch'of the correspending disc for Stopping the selector assembly in one of said predetermined positions, and drive means for actuating the cam and'selector assemblies in a predetermined sequence of operationsthe improvement in such mechanism which cohisists'ih providing a second selector-disc assemhiy nech'anieany coupled to a second device which-extends in a plane substantiall parallel to thelon itudinaiaxis of the lever and which, upon-registry of said stop ortion and notch,

coacts 'With the non-radialedge of the disk notch, whereby' upon actuation of the second disc as-*' sembly'a force-is applied to the second stop per:

ti onzin a direction substantially normal to the lever'to thereby actuate the first stop portion to its- -home-position with respect to the first se-"- lec'tor-discassembly and means for actuating the second disc assemblyrrom the samedrive means the as, ah'd in a definite timed relation with, cam and fi rst selector disc assemblies.

adapted-to effect the-automatic adjustment of a device to one of a plurality of predetermined positionsaand of ther'type provided with a'cain assembly selectively actuatabl'e to settings which correspond each to one of saidpredetermined positionsa selector udisc assembly mechanically coupled to the'device to be adjusted consisting of a plurality of discs each provided with a peripher'al-notch, the angularposit-ion of which de termines the adjusted position-oi the devicega plu-ialityof stop levers pivoted at one end and provided each with a stop portion at its other end,

a selected stoplever depending upon the setting portion en'gage the notch of the corresponding in'a plane-substantially parallel to the iong'i-T tu'dinal axis of the leverand which, upon registryof said stop portion and notch, coa'cts with the with respect to the first selector assembly, and

means for actuating the second disc assembly from the same drive means as, and in definite timed relation with the cam and first selector disc assemblies.

-4'-. A motor-operated selector mechanism adapted to effect the automatic adjustment of a pair of devices each to one of a plurality of predetermined positions, comprising a cam assembly selectively actuatable to settings which correspond each to one of said predetermined positions, a first selector disc assembly mechanically coupled to one of the devices for effecting a fine adjustment "thereof,- a second selector disc assembly mechanically coupled tothe other of said devices for effecting -a rough adjustment thereof, the discs of each assembly being provid'ed each with'a peripheral notch, a plurality 55 of the cameassemblyadapted to;have itsstop.

disc for stopping the selector assembly in one of 1 its predetermined positions, and drive means for actuating "the *cam and selector assemblies. in a J predetermined sequence bf operations, the improvement in such mechanism which'consists in providinga second selector disc assembly mejusted 'andconsisting of a'plm'ality of discs each provided with a peripheral notch, the angular po-.

sition' of which determines. the adjusted position of the second device and a portion of which "is undercut to define a non-radial edge, said step levers being provided each with a second stop 7 portion disposed intermediate the pivoted end and the first stop *portion and arranged to register with the peripheral notchor a disc of the second assembly, said sec ond stopportion' having an edge which extends chanically coupled to a second device'to be ad- 1 of stop levers each providedwith a pair of looking parts which are adapted to register each with one 'of the disc'notches, a selected stop lever depending upon the setting of the cam assembly adapted to stop said selector assemblies each at one "of its predetermined positions, and drive means including a reversible motor for actuating. the cam and selectorassemblies in a predetermined sequence o'f-operations, characterized in that the disc notch o'f the second selector assembly and the lever locking part registerable therewith have coacting edges which upon registry extend in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lever and are so constructed and arranged that in one direction of rotation of said second assembly a forceais exerted by the edge of the disc notch on its cooperating edge of the locking part in a direction substantiallynormalrto the lever, causing thereby the other lever :lock-i'ng part "to be drivenhom'e into the disc notch of the first disc assembly."

pair of devices each to one of a plurality of predetermined positions, comprising a cam assembly selectively actuatabl-eto settings which correspond each'to one of said predetermined positions, a first selector disc assembly mechanically coupled to one :of the, devices 'for efiecting a fine adjustment thereof, a second selector disc assembly mechanically coupled 13013118 other of said devices *for effecting a rough adjustment thereohthe discs ofmeach assembly being provided each with a peripheralnotch, a plurality of pivotedystop levers each provided with a pair oflockingparts which are adapted to register each? with one of the disc notches, one ior each disc assembly; spring means--for'iurging therespective stop levers toward the selector asse blies, a selected stop lever depending upon the setting of the cam assembly adapted to stop said selector assemblies each at one of its predetermined ,positions, and drive means including a reversiblemotor for actuating thecam and selector assemblies in a predeterminedsequence of op-" erations, characterized in that the-disc notch of the second selector assembly and the lever locking part registerable therewithahave coacting.

A motor-operated selector mechanism adapted to effect the automatic adjustment of a 13 14 edges which upon registry extend in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the REFERENCES CITED lever and are so constructed and arranged that The following references are of record in the during rotation of said second assembly in the file of this patent: same direction in which the pivoted stop levers 5 are urged a force is exerted by the edge of the UNITED STATES PATENTS disc notch on its cooperating edge of the locking Number Name Date part in a direction substantially normal to the 2,285,414 Collins June 9, 1942 lever, causing thereby the other lever locking part 2,334,724 Paessler Nov. 23, 1943 to be driven home into the disc notch of the first 10 2,378,941 May June 26, 1945 disc assembly. 2,391,470 May Dec. 25, 1945 FRANK G. ESKUCHEN. 

